AEW star Swerve Strickland has openly discussed watching WWE SmackDown, shedding light on his perspective regarding the competing wrestling promotions. Known for his impressive run in AEW since joining in 2022, Strickland has made a name for himself as a former AEW World Champion and AEW World Tag Team Champion alongside Keith Lee, making his WWE SmackDown Swerve Strickland appearances notable.
On a recent SmackDown episode, NXT talent Je’Von Evans responded to Sami Zayn’s United States Championship open challenge but fell short of winning the title. Despite the loss, Evans showed promise in the ring. Strickland, a close friend of Evans, publicly praised his performance on social media, demonstrating support across promotional boundaries.
“Proud @WWEJeVonEvans” said The New Flavor.
The revelation that Strickland, an AEW talent, was watching footage from WWE surprised some fans and even sparked positive reactions. In response, Strickland explained that his interest stemmed from rooting for his friends rather than any rivalry between the companies.
“I watch my friends” he said.
This candid admission highlights how the personal relationships among wrestlers transcend the corporate rivalry between AEW and WWE, which is mainly driven by management and the audience rather than the performers themselves.
Swerve Strickland Reflects on His Frustrations During WWE Tenure
Strickland previously spent time under WWE contract from 2019 to 2021, navigating both NXT and main roster assignments. Although his early performances showed potential, his progression stalled, leading to frustration with how he was utilized.
In a revealing conversation on DJ Vlad’s YouTube channel, Strickland described the moment he realized that WWE was not fully invested in his talent. After months in WWE’s Performance Center, he was booked for a Cruiserweight Championship match on 205 Live against Drew Gulak. Despite receiving high praise from established stars like Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Kofi Kingston, and Samoa Joe backstage, his training environment failed to show similar regard.
“The one day I knew I was getting bullshitted around the PC was when I was there for like three or four months and I got called to do 205 Live against Drew Gulak, who had the Cruiserweight championship…Got great praise in the back coming afterward. Charlotte [Flair], Bayley, Kofi [Kingston], Samoa Joe — everybody’s giving me crazy praise……I come back to the PC and they’re trying to teach you arm drags again. I’m like, get the fuck out of here with that.” he said.
His account underscores the disconnect between his in-ring accomplishments and the developmental expectations placed on him, which contributed to his decision to move on from WWE.
Current Status and What Lies Ahead for Strickland
At present, Swerve Strickland is sidelined due to injury but is anticipated to return during the current year. His vocal support for friends in WWE and his frank reflections about his past demonstrate a thoughtful approach to his wrestling career, bridging gaps between major wrestling organizations through personal respect.
Strickland’s insights into the inner workings of WWE and his continued commitment to AEW highlight the evolving dynamics of professional wrestling, with talent mobility and mutual admiration shaping its future landscape.
Proud @WWEJeVonEvans
— The Realest Swerve Strickland (@swerveconfident) September 27, 2025
I watch my friends https://t.co/T214Jovg96
— The Realest Swerve Strickland (@swerveconfident) September 27, 2025
